Canopus Lake North and AT Spring Hike

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pelton Pond Trail: Yellow blaze
Blue Snowshoe Trail: Blue blaze
Appalachian Way Trail: Red blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.1 Miles

Pros: Quiet area with scenic lakes, pretty scenery, and great views
Cons: Lake crossing is difficult

Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/tYM7tWhZvpUGyCfm9

It's been a long time since I hiked with Shimmy Rosenberg. He was stuck overseas for a good amount of time during the Corona period, and it was great having him back and hiking again with him. This hike was in the northernmost stretch of Fahnestock State Park, and was my northern-most extension of the Appalachian Trail in the area. The weather was a bit chilly for spring, but it warmed up nicely with a bright sunny sky. I started off the hike with a jacket, but shed it for short sleeves in the middle of the hike.

We tried parking in the Winter Park area, near the Canopus Lake Beach. However, the gate to enter was closed, so we parked at Pelton Pond instead. We walked north for a short distance on the Pelton Pond Trail, and then took the Blue Snowshoe Trail, crossing over route 301, and then took the Appalachian Way Trail (another snowshoe trail.) We then joined the Appalachian Trail, heading back south but climbing the ridge. We reached the first view which faces north towards the Catskill Mountains (which were quite viewable on this clear day.) A short distance later, we reached the second view, overlooking the Lake and beach. This view is quite memorable and very scenic.

We then bent around and descended the mountain on the Appalachian Trail, and then continued on the Appalachian on the the ridge above the western side of Canopus Lake. Towards the middle of the lake, we bushwacked down to the causeway above the lake and crossed the lake at it's midsection. We then too the unmarked wide trail up the hill to Route 301 at Pelton Pond, where our car was parked.

Map of the Route

Pelton Pond Overlook at the Beginning of the Hike

Me at the Pelton Pond Overlook

Large Solar Farm at the Snowshoe Area

Bridge Crossing a Brook 

Lush Greenery and Flowers at the Brook

View from the Small Bridge

Terminus of the Blue Trail at the Appalachian Trail

Trail Markers at the Appalachian Trail Intersection with the Blue Trail

More Informational Markings at the Trail Intersection

A Large Black Rat Snake at the Above Intersection

First View on the Appalachian Trail, Facing North

Zoomed in at the Above Viewpoint, with the Catskill Mountains in the Distance

Me at the Above Viewpoint

Shimmy Rosenberg at the Above Viewpoint

Canopus Lake Viewpoint at the Appalachian Trail

Another View at the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Canopus Lake Beach from the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Budding Trees at the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Me at the Canopus Lake Viewpoint, Overlooking the Beach

Me at Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Shimmy at the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

View Descending the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Shimmy Descending the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Our Second Black Rat Snake of the Day, Near the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Shimmy Descending the Mountain from the Canopus Lake Viewpoint

Hollowed Tree along the Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail Trail Intersection

View of Lake Canopus from the Middle of the Lake

Lake Canopus from the Causeway

Fisherman in Boats at the Canopus Lake Causeway

View from the  Canopus Lake Causeway, Facing South

 Island at the Canopus Lake Causeway, Facing North

Boaters at Canopus Lake

View of the Canopus Lake View and Beach from the Causeway